Sequel to "Life With Boys". Read that first!
Life as a teenager with a famous football playing dad isn't easy for Raelinn Emerson and her younger brother, Ashton. Raelinn's dad, Ryder Emerson, just got traded to the Denver Bronco's. When the Emerso...
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"And she's...lost." — Madeline C.C Harper
Song: Saturday Nights by Khalid
"You. I want you." Grayson's words have been in my head every day for the past month. He said that, and I quickly left the room.
It felt wrong, him saying that. Especially since I have a boyfriend. I don't want to hurt Andrew, he's been there for me the past two years, and I'm comfortable with him. I love him, I do. But, I love Grayson more. And I can't do that to Andrew. I can't string him along, when I know I'm in love with someone else. Even if nothing comes of me and Grayson, I can't do that to Andrew. So, when I go to see him today, I'm ending things.
I pull up to Andrew's house, and sit in my Jeep for a moment. Yes, the same Jeep from my 18th birthday. With a sigh, I force myself out of my Jeep, and walk up the steps to his front door. I knock three times, and wait for him to answer.
The door swings open, and Andrew is standing there. His smile makes me break. I start to cry and his smile disappears. "Baby? What's wrong?"
"I'm so sorry, Andrew," I sob, and he looks even more confused.
"For what? Come inside." He motions for me to go inside, but I shake my head.
"I can't. I'm sorry. I...We're over, Andrew. I'm so sorry," I continue to sob, kissing his cheek, and setting down the box of his stuff I brought with me, then walking away.
I don't dare look back. I climb into my Jeep, and drive away.
——
"Hey, are you okay?" Sarah asks me, the next day at work.
"No. I'm not. I need to go talk to Carol." I stand up, and walk to my bosses office.
"Rae, come in." She smiles, and I step into her office.
"I'm so sorry Carol, but I quit. I need to go back to Colorado," I tell her, and she looks shocked.
"You're quitting?" she asks, her eyes wide.
"I am. I'm so sorry. I'll pack my stuff and leave." I turn on my heel, and walk back to my desk. I grab an empty clothing box, and start to pack up the stuff in my desk.
"Um, what the hell just happened?" Sarah asks, walking over to me desk.
"I quit. I'm going to Colorado to get my guy back," I tell her and she smiles widely.
"You go get him, girl." She grins, patting me on the back. "The day is over anyway. I'll come with you so I can see my guy."
Her and Ashton officially started dating on Thanksgiving, and their long distance relationship has been working out well. He's actually thinking of transferring to a college here to be closer.
We leave the office, and head to our apartment to pack. I figure I'll pack some stuff now, then come back for the rest at a later date. We both pack a bag after we book a flight to Denver, then head to the airport.
I can't believe I'm doing something so reckless for a guy. But he's my guy. He always has been. It's always been Grayson. I just hope I'm not too late to fight for him.
——
Our plane lands, and we take separate taxis to the locations we're going. She's going to my parents house, and I'm going to Grayson's house. My nerves are going crazy, and my heart is racing.
The taxi pulls up to Grayson's house, and I get out, paying and tipping the driver. I adjust my bag on my shoulder, and walk towards his front door. I've never been here before, but it's such a beautiful house. I knock on the front door, and wait.
The door swings open, and Gray appears from behind it. He looks confused. "Rae? What are you doing here?"
"I broke up with Andrew and I quit my job," I blurt out and his eyebrows shoot up.
"What? Why? Come in." I step inside the house, and drop my bag on the floor. His eyes land on it, then back on mine. "Rae... what's going on?"
"I want you too, Grayson. I hope I'm not too late saying that. I left California because I want you. There's nothing there that's more important than you. I should have realized that four years ago. I'm still so in love with you, and I pray to god you're in love with me too."
In an instant, he's in front of me, and pushing me into the closed door behind me. His lips are on mine, making a moan escape my lips. "I fucking love you so much, love. I always have," he whispers.
"You do?" Tears are streaming down my face now.
"Yes. Please stay with me," his voice is low, and I quickly nod.
"Forever." I kiss him softly, but it quickly turns heated.
After a few minutes of intensely making out against his front door, we break apart. Both of us are breathing heavily. He rests his forehead against mine, staring into my eyes.
"Did you really quit your job for me?" he asks, making me giggle.
"I sure did." He smiles widely, hugging me close to his body.
"I love you so much," he whispers in my ear.
"I love you too, Gray," I whisper back, finally feeling like I'm home again.
"I have to ask something. It doesn't matter at all, but I need to know," his voice is soft. I look up at him, waiting for him to continue. "Did you sleep with him?"
I instantly shake my head. "No. I didn't. I didn't want to go there with anyone else, and he wanted to be married first."
"I'm glad nobody else has touched my girl," he whispers, making me smile.
California was never home. Home was never a place, but a person. It took four years to finally realize that, but now that I do know, I'm never letting go. Grayson is my home, my forever, my soulmate. Grayson is the only man I've ever pictured marrying. He's it for me, and I wish I had realized it sooner. In high school, I knew. I knew he was it, but we were dumb and fought it for years.
"I finally feel at home," I tell him, nestling my face into the crook of his neck.
